Chapter 430: 430. She is fake.
Translator: 549690339
Gu Xiaonuan, who had slept the best last night, was the first to wake up today. She rolled around beside Su Liang, calling for her mother and father one moment after the other.
With Gu Xiaonuan in her arms, Su Liang sat up, looking at her radiant smile, she sighed, “I envy you so much.” She also wanted to have a carefree life. However, since transmigrating to this time, troubles have been non-stop.
When Su Liang came out of her room, she saw Cheng Yun sleeping on a small hall table. The sunlight passed through the window and shone on his bald head, like a piece of pure and flawless jade.
As Su Liang prepared to quietly go downstairs, Gu Xiaonuan shouted out loud, “Uncle!”
Cheng Yun instantly sat upright and then stood up. He looked at Gu Xiaonuan while wearing a confused look on his face, but his body had already reacted. He waved his hand at Gu Xiaonuan and managed to pull out a smile.
After catching Gu Xiaonuan’s outstretched hand, Su Liang said to Cheng Yun, “Go back to your room and continue sleeping.”
But Cheng Yun was already wide awake and remembered the events of last night. A faint shadow loomed over his clear eyes as he said, “I want to take a walk outside.”
“That’s fine. But just walk within the mansion grounds.” Su Liang nodded.
“Alright.” Cheng Yun went downstairs, his footsteps heavy. His gray monk robe was wrinkled, and there was a tear on the back.
Seeing Cheng Yun’s torn clothes, Su Liang was even more certain that Pu Cheng didn’t want to hurt him. As Cheng Yun’s master, Pu Cheng’s strength was undoubtedly superior to Cheng Yun’s, and it was abnormal for Cheng Yun to stop him last night.
As she went downstairs, Su Liang encountered Qiao Cong, who frowned and took Gu Xiaonuan from her, “Are you all okay?”
Su Liang shook her head slightly, “It was a close call.”
“Damn it!” Qiao Cong couldn’t conceal his anger, “Shameless scoundrels, using such a small child to threaten you!”
Ren Dong and Yan Shiba appeared at the door.
Yan Shiba’s complexion was much better. She no longer needed a wheelchair or help walking. As soon as she entered, she asked Su Liang, “I heard there was an assassin last night? Are you all okay?”
Seeing Yan Shiba’s concern, Su Liang sighed softly, “Temporarily safe. But the assassin wasn’t captured, and given their methods, they might come again tonight.”
“What should we do?” Yan Shiba frowned, “Shall we hide first?”
“It’s useless.” Su Liang shook her head. Sheng Yue knew very well how to handle her. She had already experienced hiding but being forced out last night. Although she didn’t come out specifically because Sheng Yue had captured Lin Jingyun, if it hadn’t been for Cheng Yun, anyone else facing Pu Cheng and Sheng Yue would have inevitably called Su Liang to come out to avoid a terrible outcome.
Seeing Yan Shiba sigh, Su Liang changed the topic, “Gu Ling is not at home now, and there is a shortage of people here. Your health has improved a lot these past few days, haven’t you forgotten how to use martial arts?”
Yan Shiba was stunned for a moment, then shook her head, “I can’t remember what kind of martial arts I used to be able to do.”
“Give it a try, and you’ll know. The body has its memory.” Su Liang looked at Ren Dong, “After breakfast, you spar with Yan Shiba to help her recall her skills.”
Ren Dong immediately nodded, “Yes, Master. I will be careful not to hurt Miss Yan.”
Yan Shiba closed her eyes, while Su Liang turned to talk to Nangong Qian.
After breakfast, Cheng Yun hadn’t returned from his walk outside, and the two children upstairs were still asleep.
Ren Dong and Yan Shiba went to the open space by the lake to prepare for the spar as Su Liang had instructed. Qiao Cong was there to watch the fight.
Su Liang, holding Gu Xiaonuan, sat by the window and watched without going out.
Yan Shiba picked up the long sword with a bewildered expression. It seemed as if she had forgotten even the basic starting stance.
Qiao Cong frowned, “That’s not right. You’ve lost your memory, not your intelligence. Go ahead and try again. What feels the most natural?”
Yan Shiba changed her position again, and this time it was almost correct.
Ren Dong turned her head and looked at Su Liang.
Su Liang raised her hand, giving Ren Dong a signal.
Just as Qiao Cong looked in disbelief at Yan Shiba still adjusting her posture, Ren Dong suddenly attacked Yan Shiba, aiming straight for her heart!
Qiao Cong was stunned for a moment, then saw Yan Shiba quickly sidestepping and narrowly avoiding the attack. The sword in her hand changed positions as well. This time, she didn’t have that lost and bewildered look as before.
Ren Dong’s eyes narrowed slightly, “It seems Master was right; Miss Yan’s body does have memory!” She attacked Yan Shiba again after saying this.
However, Yan Shiba became slow and unresponsive again, hurriedly retreating. Her long sword fell to the ground, and she almost fell into the lake, but Ren Dong pulled her back.
Qiao Cong, who had been watching the whole scene, couldn’t make sense of it and went back to Yuanming Pavilion.
With a concerned expression, Ren Dong looked at Yan Shiba, “Are you alright, Miss Yan? I’m sorry, I was too impatient.”
Yan Shiba’s face was pale, “I’m fine… Su Liang may be right, but after the first attack, I came to my senses. I thought too much, and now I can’t do it.”
“That should be the case.” Ren Dong nodded, “Let’s stop here for today. I’ll take Miss Yan back to rest.”
“No need to accompany me, I can go back by myself.” Yan Shiba shook her head.
“Alright then.” Ren Dong straightened Yan Shiba’s clothes and picked up the long sword from the ground. As she watched Yan Shiba’s slow footsteps, her eyes suddenly turned cold.
At this moment, Qiao Cong was talking to Su Liang, “Her behavior is strange!”
Su Liang gently shook Gu Xiaonuan’s little hand, “She is not Yan Shiba, I’m sure.” Even if her memory was erased, the body’s reaction, especially in martial arts, was ingrained in the muscle memory over the years and shouldn’t be like that.
Ren Dong came in, “Master, should we capture and interrogate her?”
Su Liang shook her head, “That won’t work. If my guess is correct, she’s an imposter. Remember the injuries on her body when she arrived? Her life was hanging by a thread, and some damages were beyond recovery.”
Rendon’s expression became serious. She had seen the injuries on that person’s body, even her left chest had been cut off. What kind of person would go to such lengths to impersonate someone else?
“Her disguise is so good that I’m still not sure, I always felt that I was overthinking it.” Su Liang said thoughtfully. The injuries were a strong piece of evidence that she was Yan Shiba since Su Liang knew the ins and outs of Yan Shiqi and Yan Shiba’s past grudges; Yan Shiqi would be able to do such things to Yan Shiba.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Su Liang learned about Yan Shiba’s amnesia and then saw Lian Shan visiting the mansion, she wouldn’t have become suspicious.
“Are there identical twins who can fool even your eyes?” Qiao Cong frowned.
“It’s not uncommon for twins to look very similar, but Yan Shiba shouldn’t have a twin sister, or she would know.” Su Liang said. Considering that this Yan Shiba came from Sheng Yue and that there are transmigrators on Xingluo Island, Su Liang thought of what she had previously considered impossible: plastic surgery.
“What should we do then?” Ren Dong asked.
Su Liang pondered for a moment, “Go to Minister Min’s Mansion and invite Min Rou over. Also, ask Qi Jun to come.”
Ren Dong obeyed and left.
Qiao Cong looked puzzled, “What are you planning to do?”
“Test her directly to see if she recognizes Sheng Yue.” Su Liang said.
Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu didn’t wake up until late in the morning, and Su Liang reheated breakfast for them.
Both of them were concerned about what happened last night, so after finishing their breakfast, they didn’t go out to play. Instead, they snuggled up to Su Liang’s side and asked her how to deal with the bad guys. As smart kids, they knew that the villains from last night would come back after escaping.
“I haven’t thought about it yet.” Su Liang sent the two children to accompany Cheng Yun, “Uncle Cheng Yun is in a bad mood. Go and play with him, or ask him to teach you Stick Techniques.”
“Alright.” Ji Xiaoshu nodded and shouted at Cheng Yun, who was still wandering by the lake, “Uncle Cheng Yun, we’re coming!” Then he and Zhengzheng ran out together.
Su Liang knew that Cheng Yun needed time to digest the fact that his master’s senior brother was not a good person. Adjusting his mood and letting him see other important people and events in his life would help him.
Cheng Yun was pulled by the two children to the forest. Zhengzheng kindly handed him a Plain Steamed Bun to eat.
After a while, Rendong brought Min Rou over, and Qi Jun also arrived. Su Liang asked Rendong to go back and watch Yan Shiba.
“I learned from Miss Rendong that Sheng Yue came last night and captured Little Jingyun?” Min Rou’s face was tight, “He’s really despicable! He’ll do anything to achieve his goals! Tell me what you need me to do.”
Su Liang signaled Qi Jun to sit down, “I want to disguise him as Sheng Yue. You watch and tell me what it should look like.”
Min Rou was stunned for a moment, then nodded, “Okay.”
About a quarter of an hour later, Qi Jun’s face had changed to a different appearance.
“It’s almost like this, able to deceive the real from the fake.” Min Rou praised Su Liang’s Disguise Technique, “Qi Jun’s figure is also very similar to Sheng Yue’s.”
Qi Jun took a bronze mirror, looked at the face in the mirror, and was surprised, “It looks a bit familiar. I’ve seen it somewhere.”
“Pu Cheng.” Su Liang’s eyes were cold.
Pu Cheng had been to the mansion three or four times recently, and Qi Jun had only met him once. He had an impression of him, but because Pu Cheng was bald and much younger than Sheng Yue, he felt a vague familiarity but didn’t think of him.
Even if Min Rou had drawn a portrait of Sheng Yue for Su Liang, it wouldn’t be easy to see that he resembled Pu Cheng because of the vast differences in temperament and style, and the fact that they were completely separate worlds to Su Liang until last night.
Min Rou was puzzled, “Who is Pu Cheng?”
“Sheng Yue’s father.” Su Liang said.
Min Rou was stunned, “His father is actually still alive? He said his parents were dead, and he had a younger brother, who also died from illness.”
A younger brother… Su Liang looked at Cheng Yun, who was being pulled by Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu toward the Yuanming Pavilion, and figured that he was probably the “dead” brother Sheng Yue mentioned. Sheng Yue looked like Pu Cheng, while Cheng Yun might resemble his mother, so their relationship with the father and son was not apparent.
The two adults and two children entered the door. Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu greeted Min Rou, and they both curiously looked at Qi Jun. They recognized him from his clothes but not his face.
Cheng Yun, on the other hand, froze when he saw Qi Jun’s face, “This is…?”
“The man who held Jingyun hostage last night. His name is Sheng Yue, and he looks like this.” Su Liang said.
Cheng Yun’s hands clenched tightly. Su Liang said the person he fought with last night was Pu Cheng. Cheng Yun didn’t doubt Su Liang’s judgment, but he didn’t want to believe it. He kept telling himself that there might have been some misunderstanding. But now, looking at Qi Jun’s disguised face, he knew Su Liang was right.
“You two take Uncle Cheng Yun upstairs to rest.” Su Liang said to the children.
Cheng Yun was dazed as they led him upstairs, one on each side.
Before the disguise started, Min Rou had already answered Su Liang’s questions about Sheng Yue’s clothing style. Now, Qi Yan returned from outside with a new set of clothes and shoes, which Min Rou looked at and said were similar enough.
Qi Jun changed into them and put on a mask that Su Liang had given him. Sheng Yue had worn a similar mask that night, and Gu Ling had one too.
“Very similar.” Min Rou examined Qi Jun in front of her, “Pay attention to the eyes. His eyes are always cold, as if he doesn’t care about anything.”
As for the voice, Su Liang had heard Sheng Yue’s voice last night, and Min Rou confirmed that Qi Jun’s imitation of it was accurate.
“It’s good enough.” Min Rou nodded, looking at Qi Jun’s calm and unflappable eyes.
Su Liang instructed Qi Jun that she would later call Ren Dong away and let Qi Jun pretend to be Sheng Yue and secretly find Yan Shiba to test her reaction. Although it’s broad daylight, Sheng Yue’s strength allows him to sneak into the mansion without being noticed during the day.
Qi Jun nodded in understanding, “I know what to do.”
As for Sheng Yue’s severed hand, Su Liang didn’t make a fuss, and Yan Shiba wouldn’t know, so Qi Jun didn’t need to disguise that specifically.
Ren Dong’s courtyard.
“Miss Yan, the Master has asked me to come over, are you all right here?” Ren Dong asked from outside the door.
Yan Shiba’s voice came from within, “I’m fine, I want to rest for a while, you go ahead.”
“Alright.” With that, Ren Dong left.
Yan Shiba listened to the retreating footsteps and sat on the edge of the bed, clutching her hands anxiously.
About two quarters of an hour after Ren Dong left, the slightly open window suddenly moved.
Yan Shiba looked alert as a shadow came through the window, which was then closed immediately after.
The figure turned, and Yan Shiba met those calm eyes, breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and blurted out, “Master!”
Qi Jun: … As Su Liang guessed, this was definitely not Yan Shiba. Moreover, the voice was not unfamiliar; he was sure he had heard it before.
Qi Jun didn’t speak, quietly looking around.
“Yan Shiba” sighed and said, “I think Su Liang is starting to suspect me. Today, she let her maid test my martial arts, I’m not sure if I’m exposed. Master, if you don’t come, I really don’t know what to do.”
Qi Jun looked coldly at “Yan Shiba,” “What did I tell you to do?” His tone was intimidating.
“Yan Shiba” stiffened and lowered her head, “Master told me not to arouse Su Liang’s suspicion, I promised I could do it at the time, I’ve tried my best, but she’s too suspicious. My face clearly has no flaws, and even with such injuries, she doesn’t believe me. I should have taken the opportunity to kill her when I could stand! At the beginning, she hadn’t been suspicious!”
“Did I tell you to kill her? Do you think you can kill her?” Qi Jun asked coldly.
“Yan Shiba” shook her head, “No. Master told me to lie in wait by Su Liang’s side for further instructions, but I can’t stand it any longer. Please take me away now, Master.”
Qi Jun suddenly approached “Yan Shiba,” staring at her face, “Is Su Liang really not suspicious of this face?”
“Yan Shiba” nodded, “This I can confirm, she didn’t notice anything wrong at all. Master truly has a pair of divine hands and is a real divine doctor.”
“Since she deliberately tests you, she won’t do anything to you for the time being. I’ll come back tonight and take you away,” Qi Jun said.
Then I’ll wait for Master. “Yan Shiba” relaxed her brow, “Master, be careful too. The little monk is very powerful. But threatening Su Liang with hostages from outside will surely work, she’s the kind of person who won’t stand idly by and watch innocent people get hurt because of her.”
“You don’t need to lecture me.” Qi Jun left the same way he came in after saying.
“Yan Shiba” sat back on the bed, exhaling deeply.
Seeing Qi Jun return, Su Liang asked, “How did it go?”
“It’s fake, she said that the face was made by Sheng Yue’s divine hands,” Qi Jun said affirmatively, “And I recognized who she is from her voice.”
Su Liang’s eyes narrowed as she heard Qi Jun utter three words, “Nian Ruxue.”